Nothing to hide from drug probe, says Singe

Chief Rugby League Reporter

"I'm happy to go into the room with them and tell them who I am and the process I run": Don Singe. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Manly trainer Donny Singe says he has nothing to hide and will comply with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's interview request, declaring the club has always steered clear of ''illegal processes''.

Singe and head coach Geoff Toovey are the latest NRL identities asked to provide information as part of ASADA's investigations into drugs in sport.

Fairfax Media has been told that at least one former Sea Eagles employee, now at Canterbury, has also been served with an interview request. Former Manly doctor Paul Bloomfield has also reportedly been asked to provide an interview. They join the 31 NRL players ASADA wishes to speak to.

''I'm very comfortable with confirming that the processes and regulations that this club has followed over all its years in relation to our supplementation program is legitimate, above board and totally clear of any illegal processes,'' Singe said.

Advertisement

''We have always followed the guidelines. I'm happy to go into the room with them and tell them who I am and the process I run.''

Manly were one of six clubs named in the Australian Crime Commission's report into doping. Toovey confirmed he had received a letter from ASADA when fronting the media before training at the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen on Thursday.

''I'm a little bit disappointed that the information got out there so quick,'' Toovey said.

''I received a letter and people were ringing me half an hour later.

''That's disappointing but there's a process and we'll follow it through and see some results from it.

''There's definitely nothing to hide here at Manly, we've already been cleared of that. They're doing a thorough investigation so I have no problems with the whole thing. We'll move on and go about our business.''

Sports scientist Stephen Dank, who was at the club from 2006 until 2010, recently stated that he always sought the consent of ASADA or the World Anti-Doping Agency before administering players with a supplement or product. He has also maintained that peptides were not distributed by him during his Sea Eagles tenure.

Fourteen Sharks players have been asked to be part of the interview process and coach Shane Flanagan has urged ASADA to complete their investigations as soon as possible.

However, former ASADA boss Richard Ings tweeted on Wednesday: ''the players are declining to be interviewed at least at the Sharks. The investigation is being held up as a result.''

with AAP

2 comments so far

I like many others don't know what's going on with ASADA & the ACC as we keep getting drip fed with information, and to date, just allegation after allegation. Why is it that ASADA want to question the coaching staff at Manly, if they have cleared the club of any wrong doing???. Whether it's NRL, AFL or any other sport for that matter, how about getting the evidence first, charge the wrong doers and let's get on with it. I am not naive to think all sportmen are clean, however I can't help feeling that this is on someone's agenda!